Glacial Narratives: Cracks in the Iceis on until Sunday (16 April) at Custom House in Leith (entry on the wharf side) from 11am until 6pm, as part of the Edinburgh Science Festival.
Glacial Narratives: Cracks in the Ice is an innovative and experimental multi-artform exhibition about ice from four artists who have spent considerable time in Arctic environments, and have developed a complementary series of artworks inspired by their experiences. These works will not only raise awareness of the wonder of ice as a material, but will also ask questions about its disappearance. The artists are:
It has been funded by Creative Scotland’s Open Fund, and supported by Tinderbox Collective, University of Edinburgh Department of Geosciences, Scottish Historic Buildings Trust and the University of Svalbard in Norway.
Strachan House Care Home resident, Bill Lathe had dreamed of being able to garden again so staffed teamed up with a local boy Struan Dow who helped Bill out with his wish to make it come true.
Bill has lived at Strachan House for several years and is oved by staff and residents alike. Staff and Struan were delighted to be a part of making his dream come true, as they knew how much it meant to him and they all wanted to be there to see the smile on Bills face.
Staff first found out about Bills wish through their active activities program. Mandy, Head of Activities, said “Bill has always had a love of gardening and when we were a contacted about a local boy Struan needing to complete his JASS project it made sense to pair the two up by surprising Bill.”
JASS is the junior programme for the Duke of Edinburgh awards and Struan needed to undertake his silver award. This meant he was tasked with having to complete a 12 hour project. A student in class 6HD at Erskine Stewart Melville School, meant that Struan gave up his Easter break to work on the project.
He said: “When I heard of Bill’s wish I knew I could combine my project with his wish, so I decided to spring into action and build Bill an accessible herb garden box and present it to him within the gardens at Strachan House.
“I was so happy to see Bill’s face and was so happy to be part of something special for him. To know that my herb box will be appreciated and go to good use is awesome!”
Mandy Head of Activities added “What and amazing young lad Struan is and he should be proud of his hard work. Bill is over the moon!”
In response to this wonderful surprise, Bill said: “I was overwhelmed. It is such an amazing feeling to know that the youngsters still look out for us and care so much.
“I’m really grateful to Struan and the team for making my wish come true. I can’t wait to get planting my herbs for the use in the kitchen”
Gordon Philp, General Manager at the home, said: “We want everyone we care for to know how important they are to us here at Strachan House. It was so nice to see how happy Bill was and the staff loved being a part of this as well.”
Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals.
Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.
A local man is thanking his lucky stars and staff at a popular city sports venue for saving his life, when he collapsed on the running track following a training session early in March.
Keith Ridley, 69, from Willowbrae, and a coach with Edinburgh Athletic Club had just finished his own training session on the outdoor running track at Meadowbank Sports Centre, before he was due to start training younger members of the club, when he collapsed.
Thanks to the quick action of some medical students, who were training on the track, and Martin Bews, Operations Supervisor at Meadowbank Sports Centre, who administered CPR until the ambulance arrived to take over, Mr Ridley has lived to tell the tale. Greg Cobb, a Welcome Host at Meadowbank, who had trained as a cardiac nurse in a previous life, also gave invaluable support to Martin at the time.
Keith was taken to the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh, where he had two stents installed in blocked arteries and an ICD (implantable defibrillator) in his chest.
Keith Ridley said: “I count myself incredibly fortunate with the circumstances in which my heart attack happened and will be forever grateful for the quick actions of the medical students and the staff at Edinburgh Leisure’s Meadowbank Sports Centre, especially Martin and Greg, who most definitely saved my life.
“Medical friends of mine have told me just how critical those first few minutes are in terms of the right care administered that can make the difference in saving a life.”
Claire Rusack, Operations Director at Edinburgh Leisure said: “We are so glad that Keith is doing well and on the road to recovery. We are so proud of all the team and for the great outcome.
“Edinburgh Leisure places a huge importance on equipping our staff with the necessary skills to cope with lots of different situations. In this instance, their first aid training and accident and emergency procedures ensured an incident well managed. You hope you’ll never have to use your first aid skills, but it just highlights how critical these skills can be in saving someone’s life.”
Keith spent a week in hospital but recovered well and has now returned home. On the advice of his cardiology nurse, he is undertaking light exercise including walking and hopes to return to a structured exercise programme in the near future. He is hoping that he might be eligible to be referred to Edinburgh Leisure’s Fit For Health programme to help with his rehabilitation.
Fit For Health is a 16-week physical activity referral programmed delivered by Edinburgh Leisure in partnership with the Edinburgh Health & Social Care Partnership. Sessions are delivered across various Edinburgh Leisure venues.
Edinburgh Leisure offers First Aid courses, which are accredited by Ofqual and presented in association with the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK). These include First Aid at Work (Full 3 days); First Aid at Work (2 days refresher), Emergency First Aid at Work (1 day), Paediatric First Aid (2 days),
Emergency Paediatric First Aid (1 day).
Edinburgh Leisure also run first aid courses for clubs and colleges. These are in addition to their RLSS programme, and they welcome any requests.
A new framework to strengthen Scotland’s engagement with global connections has been published.
The Scottish Connections Framework seeks to expand links and networks with:
Scottish people living elsewhere in the world
those with Scottish heritage
people who have previously lived in Scotland, including alumni
those with a professional, business, cultural or other links to Scotland
The Framework outlines commitments to Scotland’s global communities, recognising the benefits of international collaboration for both Scotland and the diaspora across the world.
As part of the Framework, a number of projects will be expanded or launched including a Scottish Connections Challenge Fund to support initiatives that promote Scotland’s reputation and interests.
During the lifetime of this Parliament, a recognition award to highlight the achievements of Scottish diaspora internationally will also be launched and an external advisory group will be established to shape proposed and future work with the diaspora.
External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Scotland is an open, connected and outward-looking country with a long and proud history of intellectual, cultural and economic exchange.
“Recent research suggested that upwards of 40 million people across the world consider themselves to have Scottish heritage but the approach set out in Scottish Connections goes far beyond bloodlines. Recognising and engaging our diaspora is an objective in itself – not a means to an end. Scotland’s diaspora and our Scottish Connections are an extension of Scotland – our living bridge with people, organisations and communities around the world.
“Publishing this Framework will unlock many opportunities for Scots and those connected to Scotland across the world. Connecting with our international diaspora will enable us to learn from their skills, experiences and achievements.
“I look forward to discussing the Framework in detail with our friends and partners in New York City as part of the 25th anniversary of Tartan Week – itself a leading global event to celebrate Scotland’s contributions to the world.”
Chancellor confirms UK stands ready to provide additional $500 million in UK guaranteed loans for Ukraine, plus $670m in new loan funding for developing nations
New money brings total UK funding for IMF’s trusts to $5.3billion to help reduce poverty and boost energy security, plus $1bn for Ukraine this year
Funding confirmed as Chancellor reaffirms his plan to get the U.K. economy growing to global finance ministers meeting in Washington D.C. this week
Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has confirmed the UK stands ready to provide an additional $500m in UK guaranteed loans for Ukraine, taking this year’s total to $1bn and the total amount pledged by the UK in support of Ukraine to £6.5bn.
This comes as he attends the International Monetary Fund’s Spring Meetings in Washington D.C., alongside fellow supporters of Ukraine, and today took part in a roundtable on support for the country.
This new money will help to meet Ukraine’s economic needs including covering the costs of vital government services, such as running hospitals and schools as well as supporting the most vulnerable Ukrainians.
The Chancellor has also committed a further $670m to reduce poverty and drive growth, going above and beyond previous commitments to boost financial support for developing nations through the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust. With this pledge the UK has fulfilled the commitment made during its G7 Presidency to deliver multi-billion-dollar funding to fight poverty and boost growth.
This funding brings the total given by the UK to the Trust to $2 billion and comes alongside the UK’s delivery of a $3.3 billion pledge to the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust, which provides affordable long-term financing to low-income countries and vulnerable middle-income countries to address challenges such as climate change, energy security and pandemic preparedness.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:“The $1bn of budget support we have committed to Ukraine this year will ensure that the country has the financing to keep the lights on, hospitals running and schools open. This, alongside UK military support, will help defeat Putin.
“But our efforts for a fairer world don’t end there. We are also making good on our G7 Presidency commitments and delivering a multi-billion-pound package of support to reduce poverty and bolster energy security across developing countries.”
The UK’s financial commitment to Ukraine has helped unlock the IMF’s provision of a $15.6bn 4-year programme for the country.
In total, the UK has pledged £6.5bn in support of Ukraine, including $1bn in loans guaranteed by the UK to support Ukraine’s economy in 2023 – meaning that it can continue to pay pensions and public sector pay – and £2.3bn in military support for 2023. This June the UK will also host the Ukraine Recovery Conference, focussing on mobilising further private sector investment.
At the IMF Spring Meetings, the Chancellor will also highlight the impact of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine on the global economy and push for action in addressing developing country needs on debt. The economic impacts from Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine are being felt across the globe, with developing nations particularly affected by increases in food prices. The latest $670m commitment to the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust adds to the UK’s previous agreement to the fund of $1.3bn, with the total now standing at $2bn.
The Chancellor signed this commitment on Wednesday alongside IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. In this meeting, he also finalised a $3.3bn pledge on behalf of the UK to the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust. Funding for this Trust will play a vital role in providing financing to bolster energy and combat climate change, including for Ukraine and other countries worst affected by the war.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:“Russia continues to bombard Ukraine’s people and destroy Ukrainian infrastructure. The UK is resolute in its commitment to support Ukraine until peace is agreed on Ukrainian terms.
“This funding will boost Ukraine’s economic resilience and bolster its resistance against Russia. Working with the IMF and international partners, I am proud of the UK’s contribution to unlocking vital finance for Ukraine.
“Ensuring Ukraine’s fiscal, humanitarian and recovery needs is a core part of our long-term commitment to Ukraine. That’s why the UK is proud to be co-hosting – jointly with Ukraine – the Ukraine Recovery Conference.”
A challenging World Economic Outlook published by the IMF earlier this week predicted a ‘rocky road’ for global economies, including the U.K., however Britain is still forecast to see faster growth than Germany, France and Italy in each of years from 2025 to 2028. The UK avoided recession in 2022 and is now expected to avoid recession this year. According to the independent Office for Budget Responsibility, the UK is on track to more than halve inflation this year and reduce debt by the end of the forecast period.
The Chancellor is currently attending his first IMF meeting in Washington D.C., discussing how his Autumn Statement and Spring Budget have set the UK on a stable path to growth. He will attend IMF Committee meetings, G7 and G20 finance minister meetings and a series of bilateral engagements.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:“Our support for other countries comes at a time when I am deeply focussed on getting the UK’s economy growing, and our plan for that is working as we’re on track to halve inflation this year.
“A strong UK economy, creating jobs and raising living standards for all will benefit citizens at home as well as having knock on positive impact around the world.”
Imagine being a keen hillwalker who loves the outdoors but then being unable to enjoy it because of sight loss. Fortunately, many veterans of the Armed Forces who have visual impairment can climb their favourite mountains again, thanks to Sight Scotland Veterans.
Jason Turnbull is a centre officer at Sight Scotland Veterans’ Hawkhead Centre in Paisley. The keen hillwalker, who is a former healthcare support worker, has been at Hawkhead since it opened five years ago. A few months ago, the centre’s IT suite installed its first VR headset and already it is having a positive impact on its users.
Jason, who is responsible for organising activities for the veterans, is combining his passion for hillwalking and the power of virtual reality so that many of the veterans at the Hawkhead Centre can experience Scotland’s great outdoors again.
He explains: “I had previous experience with VR headset, so I was very keen to try it at Hawkhead. I watched 360-degree videos on YouTube and thought to myself ‘I can do better than that’. So, I bought a 360-degree camera and took it up the hills with me.
“I then began showing the veterans who are keen hillwalkers, and those who weren’t, the footage and there was a very positive reaction. They said it was ‘like being back on the hills’.”
The centre officer explained that because the VR headset lenses are close to their eyes, the veterans can experience the video footage like those without vision loss.
He adds: “I thought I am on to something here, so I have been going around as many Munros as I can so they can come with me.
I am starting with the centrally located ones, in and around Crianlarich, like Ben More and Stob Binnein. I edit the footage and show the veterans when I come back, and they are saying it is absolutely unbelievable.
“It’s reawakening something in them. It is so rewarding to watch them and see their reaction. Perhaps it has been many years since they’ve climbed that hill, but they realise where they are. The VR allows them to revisit somewhere that was special to them. It triggers all those memories and sparks positive feelings within them.”
Noreen Smith, a former army nurse who has Macular degeneration, who regularly attends Sight Scotland Veterans’ Hawkhead Centre, has always been a great hillwalker but had to give up her passion due to her vision impairment. She explains: “The VR is just wonderful, it is just like you are back there again, it brings back so many happy memories for me. I can see the whole landscape, all the tremendous views, it really is like I am walking up the hills again.”
Brian Wilson, who works in Sight Scotland Veterans’ Linburn Centre, is also seeing, first-hand, how VR is having a huge impact on the centre users.
Brian comments: “In many instances, it enables veterans to see again, which is just amazing. As the screens are very close to their eyes, and includes large, bold images, it helps people with low vision see better and up close.
“Some of them find it quite overwhelming the first time they experience it. It opens up a whole new world to a person with a visual impairment.
“It is fully immersive and allows them to completely forget about the outside world. They can forget about their eye condition or any other problems or stresses they have and just relax and enjoy the experience.”
Dino-sauring into Edinburgh Science Festival 2023’s final weekend, the National Museum of Scotland is hosting the second of the Festival’s themed family weekends: EarthFest.
From prehistoric creatures to the cutting edge of climate science, EarthFest is a t-rriffic celebration of the world around us that offers the chance to learn more about our planet, the animals that live here and how we can take care of it.
Families can build their own dinosaur from giant bones in the Grand Gallery’s drop-in activities zone, and adventure through a world of sustainability in Two in a Barrel.
PICTURED: Thane Elders (age 7) getting ready for EarthFest this weekend at the National Museum of Scotland.
Crown Jewels to be projected onto Tower of London before touring iconic landmarks across the four nations
The move is part of events to mark Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort’s Coronation celebrations which will see more than 100,000 people attend live screenings of the event next month at 57 UK sites
It is also revealed today that 50,000 Coronation Big Lunches to mark the event are expected
A new immersive light and sound show displaying the Crown Jewels on iconic UK landmarks will tour the country as part of plans to tell the story of coronations to thousands of people.
‘Crown and Coronation’, produced by Historic Royal Palaces and Luxmuralis, will explore the history of coronations in an immersive visual and musical show which it is planning to project on some of the country’s most famous landmarks and locations.
The programme will launch by being projected onto the Tower of London in Autumn before touring the length and breadth of the country.
In addition, the Government has today confirmed additional screening sites for the Their Majesties’ Coronation, bringing the total to 57 in locations including Ely Cathedral, Trinity Market in Hull and Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, meaning that more than 100,000 people will be able to watch the Coronation live in their hometowns.
To mark the Coronation weekend, communities are being encouraged to come together for street parties on the Sunday and across the UK more than 32,000 Coronation Big Lunch packs have been ordered with around 50,000 neighbourhood events, attended by millions of people, being planned.
Eighty per cent of those signing up are first-time organisers. Plans include a youth centre Big Lunch in Shetland to community focused celebrations across the water in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. A community carnival is being planned in Morecambe and a Big Lunch paddle board will take place in Bude, Cornwall.
There will also be hundreds of thousands of opportunities to take part in The Big Help Out on the additional Bank Holiday granted to celebrate the Coronation on Monday 8th May.
The project aims to ensure the Coronation leaves a lasting legacy in communities by inspiring and recruiting a new generation of volunteers. Opportunities include the chance to volunteer in your local community, with everyone from the Scouts, Royal Voluntary Service and Guide Dogs to the smallest local volunteering groups already signed up.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “The Coronation marks the beginning of a new chapter in our magnificent national story. It promises to be full of memorable experiences for the whole country, with millions of us bearing witness to a moment of history for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
“Every part of the United Kingdom should have a chance to see and feel the joy of the Coronation, and this giant light projection will give communities the chance to see precious centuries-old Royal treasures up close over the next year.
“With less than a month to go until Coronation weekend, there are countless opportunities for people to be part of it – whether it’s watching the service on a big screen in your community, hosting your own Big Lunch for family, friends and neighbours or volunteering in The Big Help Out to give something back.
The Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort will take place on Saturday 6 May at Westminster Abbey followed by a ‘spectacular’ Coronation Concert held at Windsor Castle on Sunday 7 May.
On Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday, the public are encouraged to come together to take part in celebratory Coronation Big Lunches and in a national day of volunteering as part of the Big Help Out. Events taking place across the country are detailed on the Government’s Coronation map which is available on coronation.gov.uk.
The programme of events will reflect the modern, diverse, multi-faith United Kingdom and promote the themes of youth, community, diversity, and sustainability.
Lindsey Brummitt, Programme Director at the Eden Project, home of The Big Lunch, said: “It’s fantastic to see such an appetite for connection and community across the UK and it is growing every day!
“What makes the Coronation Big Lunch on 6-8 May weekend ‘Big’ is everyone, everywhere doing the same thing on the same weekend – sharing friendship, food and fun with their neighbours and communities.
“You can have a sarnie with a neighbour, connect over a cuppa, host a back garden BBQ or put tables down the street – how you decide to join in is up to you.
“It is a fantastic way to celebrate where you live, be part of history and even fundraise for a charity or cause you care about. Bust out the bunting, knock on a neighbours door and get to know one another a little better over a tasty snack – it’s such an easy way to be part of everything!”
Matt Hyde, CEO of the Scouts, said: “It’s just about a month to go until The Big Help Out – The event will provide so many opportunities for new volunteers to find their passion and to support causes that make a difference in their local communities.
“Research tells us that volunteering is good for you in so many ways so if you have not signed up yet check out the app and get involved and change your life and others lives forever.”
Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service, said: “With one month to go before The Big Help Out, there is plenty of time for people to explore the abundance of exciting volunteering opportunities in their area.
“Royal Voluntary Service has a real mix of activities available in the app, from helping to run craft and activity sessions or providing a friendly service in one of our retail outlets, to helping decorate a hall to host a Coronation lunch for 100 people! And that’s just us.
“There are thousands of unique options available from other charities and organisations, big and small, so there is something to inspire everyone to join in and lend a hand.”
Packs to plan for a Coronation Big Lunch can be found here.
You can find events in your local community on the government’s interactive Coronation map here.
Full list of locations hosting screens for the Coronation:
North West
Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester
Parliament Square, Oldham
Eurovision Village on the Pier Head, Liverpool
North East
Keel Square / Park Lane, Sunderland City Centre
Washington Galleries, Sunderland
Hylton Castle, Sunderland
Backhouse Park, Sunderland
Rectory Park, Coalfields, Sunderland
Barnes Park – Sunderland
Times Square, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Alnwick Castle, Northumberland
Darlington Market Square, Darlington
Yorkshire and Humber
City Hall, Hull
Trinity Market, Hull
City Park, Bradford
Piece Hall, Halifax
St Peter’s Parish Church, Huddersfield
Dewsbury Library, Dewsbury
Millenium Square, Leeds
Pontefract Castle, Wakefield
Peace Gardens, Sheffield
The Glass Works, Barnsley
South West
Bristol Cathedral, Bristol
Bristol and Bath Science Park, South Gloucestershire
Lower Gardens, Bournemouth
Baiter Park, Poole
The Quomps, Christchurch
The Barbican, Plymouth
South East
Jubilee Square, Brighton
Holland Park, Kensington and Chelsea, London
Valence Park, Dagenham, London
Walpole Park, Ealing, London
East of England
The Commemoration Hall, Huntingdon
Peterborough Cathedral and Cathedral Gardens, Peterborough
Request for judicial review of UK Government use of veto
The Scottish Government will challenge the Secretary of State for Scotland’s use of Section 35 of the Scotland Act to stop the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill going forward to Royal Assent following the Scottish Parliament’s approval of the legislation in December 2022.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has informed the Scottish Parliament that the Scottish Government will lodge a petition for a judicial review of the Secretary of State for Scotland’s use of Section 35.
Ms Somerville said: “The Gender Recognition Reform Bill was passed by an overwhelming majority of the Scottish Parliament, with support from members of all parties.
“The use of Section 35 is an unprecedented challenge to the Scottish Parliament’s ability to legislate on clearly devolved matters and it risks setting a dangerous constitutional precedent.
“In seeking to uphold the democratic will of the Parliament and defend devolution, Scottish Ministers will lodge a petition for a judicial review of the Secretary of State for Scotland’s decision.
“The UK Government gave no advance warning of their use of the power, and neither did they ask for any amendments to the Bill throughout its nine month passage through Parliament. Our offers to work with the UK Government on potential changes to the Bill have been refused outright by the Secretary of State, so legal challenge is our only reasonable means of resolving this situation.
“It is important to have clarity on the interpretation and scope of the Section 35 power and its impact on devolution. These matters should be legally tested in the courts.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed US President Joe Biden to the United Kingdom for a meeting in Belfast today.
The Prime Minister welcomed US President Biden to the United Kingdom for a meeting in Belfast today.
The leaders reflected on the legacy of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, which was signed 25 years ago this week. They agreed that this anniversary is a moment to celebrate the progress that Northern Ireland has made over the last quarter of a century and to recommit to building an even brighter future for Northern Ireland.
The Prime Minister thanked President Biden for the role the US people and businesses have played in Northern Ireland’s prosperity, with billions of pounds of investment creating tens of thousands of jobs.
The Prime Minister and President Biden both expressed their sincere hope that the institutions in Northern Ireland will be restored as soon as possible.
The Prime Minister and President Biden discussed the wider relationship between the UK and the US.
They agreed that manipulation of global markets by authoritarian leaders demonstrates, more than ever, the need for likeminded partners to work together to support the economic health and security of our nations.
The leaders said that the thriving trade relationship between the UK and US demonstrates we are doing just that.
They looked forward to discussing the issue of economic security further during the G7 Summit next month and the Prime Minister’s visit to Washington DC in June.
They also agreed on the importance of using global forums like the G7 and G20 to challenge economic coercion and market manipulation, and promote the economic well-being of our countries.
